The effects of health management on the body composition of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective Health management is the preferred therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). There are limitations in judging the effect of health management only by changes in body weight. Therefore, this study used bioelectrical impedance analysis to observe the changes of body composition in patients with NAFLD by health management in more detail, and to provide basis for the treatment of NAFLD. Methods A total of 50 patients with NAFLD were visited the fatty liver disease clinic. There were 38 male and 12 female, with the mean age of(39.70±13.59) years. They all received 6 months' health management(diet and exercise intervention). Before and after the health management, using the body composition analyzer to measure body composition. Body weight, body mass index(BMI), body muscle, inorganic salt, body fat, body fat percentage, visceral fat index, visceral fat area and waist-hip ratio were measured. The percentage of body muscle, inorganic salt and weight loss were calculated. Data before and after intervention were analyzed by paired t-test. Results After 6 month's health management, NAFLD patients' body weight, BMI, body fat, body fat percentage, visceral fat index, visceral fat area were decreased,body muscle percentage were increased(all P<0.05). The male patients' body weight, BMI, body fat, visceral fat index, visceral fat area were decreased(all P<0.05). The female patients' body weight, BMI, body fat, body fat percentage, visceral fat index, visceral fat area were decreased, body muscle percentage were increased(all P<0.05). Conclusion Health management changes the body composition of patients with NAFLD. There are some differences between men and women.